- Last Updated on Monday, 01 April 2013 01:27
The old saying goes, “When a door shuts, a window opens.” That’s how members of the Monongahela Area Library Board of Trustees and staff felt recently.
.jpg) Elks Exalted Ruler William Bautz (left), Past Exalted Ruler and National Foundation Chairman William Marsden (center), and PDDER and Secretary Stanley Welsh present the check to library board member and building Chairman Norm Core and President Martha Ghilani at the Monongahela Area Library.
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On the same day that the approvals for the first round of Local Share Applications submitted to the Washington County Redevelopment Authority were announced with the library tentatively receiving less than had been estimated for building project, Stanley Welch, Past District Deputy Exalted Ruler and Secretary of Monongahela Elks Lodge #455 called library director to say the lodge had decided sponsor a library program and asked if the director had something in mind.
“I knew without giving it too much thought where the board would see the need, although I did want to run in past them formally,” said director Elina Filander.
The library application had been for a handicap door opener. The director noted that while the library was built more than 25 years ago with a handicap ramp, the entry and lobby doors are weighty glass and metal doors. While the library does not collect exact numbers or types of patrons using assistive devices to enter the building, patrons with mobility scooters, walkers, wheel chairs, and even the student on crutches after a torn tendon have all been seen using the library for their information, education and recreational needs.
The library had applied for the amount that was needed according to estimates received from several building trade people in addition to a small amount set aside for the project.
“Someone from the Redevelopment Authority even called to ask how we were going to be able to complete the project with the smaller allocation and it was a relief to tell them the Elks had come through already for us on the project,” the director commented.
The $1,500 was an award from the Elks National Grand Lodge. It marks the second time the local group has helped the library in recent years. Just last year Lodge #455 also passed along an award received from the national organization to help the library fund circulation computers.
“This is very much appreciated,” said library board president Martha Ghilani who accepted the check presented by on behalf of the board along with Norm Core, chairman of the library’s building projects.
As Secretary Welsh noted in the past about Elks generosity, “Proving again Elks care and Elks share.”
“I knew without giving it too much thought where the board would see the need, although I did want to run in past them formally,” said director Elina Filander.
The library application had been for a handicap door opener. The director noted that while the library was built more than 25 years ago with a handicap ramp, the entry and lobby doors are weighty glass and metal doors. While the library does not collect exact numbers or types of patrons using assistive devices to enter the building, patrons with mobility scooters, walkers, wheel chairs, and even the student on crutches after a torn tendon have all been seen using the library for their information, education and recreational needs.
The library had applied for the amount that was needed according to estimates received from several building trade people in addition to a small amount set aside for the project.
“Someone from the Redevelopment Authority even called to ask how we were going to be able to complete the project with the smaller allocation and it was a relief to tell them the Elks had come through already for us on the project,” the director commented.
The $1,500 was an award from the Elks National Grand Lodge. It marks the second time the local group has helped the library in recent years. Just last year Lodge #455 also passed along an award received from the national organization to help the library fund circulation computers.
“This is very much appreciated,” said library board president Martha Ghilani who accepted the check presented by on behalf of the board along with Norm Core, chairman of the library’s building projects.
As Secretary Welsh noted in the past about Elks generosity, “Proving again Elks care and Elks share.”
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